THE management team at Dalton's zoo has now revealed the attraction will stay open - and not close this month. 

The attraction made a shock announcement last month that it would close in January, following a decision by Barrow Borough Council to close the zoo’s public walkways due to health and safety reasons.

The council has explained that their licensing regulatory committee ruled that all wooden public walkways at the Dalton attraction must be shut with immediate effect due to concerns over safety. The zoo was given 28 days to comply.

In response, the animal park issued a statement last week saying they would shut on January 9.

The Evening Mail reported earlier this week how zoo managers were set to meet with Phil Huck, executive director of Barrow Borough Council, this afternoon. 

But in another shock twist in the saga, the zoo has announced it will remain open. 


Karen Brewer On a post on the Facebook page, Karen Brewer from the zoo said: "We have been overwhelmed by the love and support that is out there for the zoo and what we bring to individuals and the community as a whole. 

"The result of the 20+ thousand signatures on private petitions has led to a round table meeting between the Management of the Zoo and the Chief Executive of Barrow Borough Council. In response to this very positive and constructive move and as a show of good faith the Zoo management has agreed to open throughout the negotiations. 

"Our major winter construction and maintenance programme is now underway and a number of areas of the zoo will be not available and disabled access will be restricted until the works are completed and because of this we have decided to open our gates for FREE in January 2016. Yes EVERYONE enters for FREE. 

"Very soon the zoo itself shall become a Charity and we need your support in every way possible to promote and expand our conservation breeding programmes in the Zoo and with our top class partners within EAZA and more importantly to expand our direct action projects all over the globe with critically endangered wildlife and habitats."